Big Brother episode receives Ofcom complaints after two housemates clash in fiery row

Big Brother has reportedly attracted more than 100 Ofcom complaints after only days on air, following a heated exchange between two of the housemates.

A comment made from Omar to Johanne on Monday night’s episode of the reality TV favourite has sparked a furious reaction from viewers.

It has been reported by the Daily Star that 115 complaints were sent to Ofcom about the ITV show, which saw tensions rise between the pair after a disagreement involving Johanne, Lynx and other housemates.

The row centred on a conversation about identity and loyalty within the Big Brother house.

Johanne had expressed frustration with Lynx and told him, “So much for protecting the black sisters”, before Omar became involved in the discussion.

Omar challenged Johanne over what he saw as an American approach to conversations around identity and suggested that British culture was different.

Tensions have been building in the Big Brother house (ITV)

He said: “It's a bit far when you call out people's identity".

Omar added: "It's not America," followed by: "So start acting like it."

The exchange became increasingly tense, and when Johanne replied that she knew "it isn't America", leading Omar to tell her: "Well then go back to America."

She replied: "I'm not going back to America, make me go back. Put me on the plane and get me to go back.

The remark quickly became a talking point among viewers, with some taking issue with the wording and others arguing that it was part of a wider argument between two housemates rather than an indication of anything more serious.

Footage shared by the official Big Brother account showed the housemates discussing Johanne’s comments after the incident.

The episode itself formed part of a particularly eventful week in the house, with tensions also developing between Johanne, Lynx, Chelsey and Rhianna.

Monday’s episode saw housemates take part in a game involving pop icons Jedward, who asked contestants to identify the person they considered the biggest ‘buzzkill’.

Both Lynx and Rhianna named Johanne, prompting a further exchange in which she defended herself and criticised the way some of the other housemates had responded to her.

Johanne was left upset following the exchange (ITV)

The dispute involving Omar stoked those existing tensions higher, adding another layer of awkwardness to an increasingly fractious set of relationships inside the house.

One viewer wrote on social media: “And that's not even the worst thing that's been said this series!”

“People really need to get a grip and stop wasting Ofcom's time…. This is not the way to deal with it,” insisted another.

“This is one of the reasons why the producers do not want live feed!” pointed out someone else.

Ofcom assesses complaints individually and can decide whether a broadcast warrants further investigation. If it does open an investigation, the outcome is published separately.

Ofcom publishes audience complaint figures for programmes that receive more than 50 standards complaints in a particular week, but the regulator stresses that inclusion on its list does not mean it is investigating a programme.

With tensions continuing to build in the Big Brother house, the fallout from the argument is likely to remain a talking point among viewers as the series progresses.

Tyla has reached out to ITV for comment.